Returning to My Roots in Hardware

Summary

Recently, after two years working in tech consulting, I decided to try something new and make a move into a product company. Here’s the story of how I found an awesome startup that could make use of my eclectic skillset, and used that same skillset to make an application that would get their attention. I like working with physical things. I muck around with cars, build cameras and go out of my way to fix things, often at more expense than is worthwhile. I’m 3 for 3 on nutribullet repairs. When I left uni, if you wanted a technical job creating things, you’d be creating software. I had a pretty cool job back in Aotearoa/NZ writing code, but it didn’t feel right. I didn’t feel connected to the results of my work. So, when I relocated to the UK, I also made a move from corporate number-crunching into proper software development. This was a great call, but still wasn’t scratching the itch. I eventually prescribed myself an in-house role at a reputable tech company with a product I believed in. Finding the right role I spent a few months researching and applying at established tech companies and startups. It didn’t go great. I wasn’t interviewing well, and I wasn’t excited by a lot of the work that was out there. After some unfulfilling searching, I stumbled across Matta. Their site had very readable published research and a slick product - industrial cameras connected to an ML model that can find barely perceptible manufacturing defects with just a day’s fine-tuning. Their opening sounded like one of the vanishingly few roles that would value hardware, software, ML knowledge and creative skills. Applicants were encouraged to find creative ways to apply. Challenge accepted I thought I’d come up with an application that showcased my abilities as a creative and multidisciplinary engineer in such a way that aligned with their company’s character. I’d also read about their enthusiasm for Lego building breaks and coffee. So I designed this envelope that enclosed my CV and cov...